Tom Seaver Returns to Shea Stadium, August 21, 1977 (No Sound)

This is a Super 8mm movie shot and edited by me of Tom Seaver's return to Shea Stadium after the trade which sent him to the Cincinnati Reds in June, 1977. It has been seen by very few people since then.

The film includes general scenes of Shea Stadium before and during the game, and shots of Mets players Jerry Koosman (36) , Ed Kranepool (7), John Stearns (12), Steve Henderson - who was acquired in the Seaver trade (5), and Manager Joe Torre (9). Reds in the film include Manager Sparky Anderson (10), Johnny Bench (5), Dan Driessen (22), right fielder Ken Griffey, and Pete Rose (14). Mets announcer Lindsey Nelson can be seen doing the pre-game show from the WOR-TV booth. Karl Ehrhardt, the popular "Sign Man" who was a fixture at Mets games in the '60s and '70s is in his regular spot on the third base line.

Seaver pitched a complete game, defeating Koosman and the Mets 5-1. The boxscore and game summary can be seen at: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN197708210.shtml

My mother and father also appear in film. She was so upset by the trade that she refused to wear a Mets cap, and insisted that my father buy her a souvenir Reds batting helmet before the game. It's nice to see them both looking so young and healthy!

Sorry for the poor video quality. The film itself is clear, sharp and vibrant. I am going to look into having it professionally transferred to video sometime soon. As these pictures were shot on Super 8mm film, there is no sound.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• New York Mets
• Shea Stadium
• Tom Seaver
• Cincinnati Reds
• 1977
• Super 8mm

[mgourmet]

Thanks mattgary1! Those are the years I look at most fondly too. Sadly, the team we have today doesn't have much resemblance to the one we grew up with. And Shea Stadium, even with all its faults and blemishes, was like a old home that's now gone. At least we have lots of pictures of the old days, and memories that we'll never forget.

[mgourmet]

Thanks NY Voice!

[nycgrneys]

We arrived in time to see Cincy take BP.I have a vivid memory of George Foster(having a 52HR & 149 RBI, MVP year) stepping into the cage.As I recall he took 6 swings,hitting one ball off the wall and sending the other 5 out of the park,one of which bounced off the roof of that shack-like structure behind the light towers in leftcenter.He received a nice hand from the crowd.In 1989, I won some prizes from WFAN MetsExtra for knowing that Ron Hodges K'd looking to end the game.

[mgourmet]

@nycgrneys Thanks for sharing your memories of the Mets at Shea, and of that game in particular. Even though it was almost 35 years ago, I have very clear memories of it.

[mgourmet]

Thanks Jason! Glad you enjoyed it!

[mgourmet]

Thanks for the very nice comments. Tom Seaver was - and still is - my favorite baseball player. I think he embodies those qualities we want baseball to stand for: tough but fair competition, teamwork, dedication, integrity and sportsmanship.

[mattgary1]

this is the single greatest thing i've seen on youtube this Century. thank you so much. my era as a fan really began in the late 70's and esp. in early 80's and those are the years i look back on most fondly despite the losing. mets dumped Tom TWO times, look it up... but this video is a real lost and found treasure, great bit of history...

[macdisciple]

I was there too. Bitter sweet day. Sat in the upper deck behind home plate, front row.

[dnice1074]

That was great.  Greatest pitcher the Mets ever had.

[Seaverful]

I was there with my Dad.

[NYVoice]

No sound necessary. Beautifully done. The surreal image of Tom in a Reds uniform was worth the price of admission-an unimaginable historical moment for Mets fans. It was 5 days following the death of Elvis...and OUR Elvis came back that day. And he WON. (Thank you M Donald Grant. I hope you and O'Malley are laughing it up in hell.) Thanks again I hope Tom Terrific had a chance to see this footage.

[Schmoe552001]

I remember it happening.